Virginius Bryan Lougee III marched steadfastly to his eternal home on Friday, Feb. 10, 2023, in Bermuda Run, North Carolina. He was 96.
Virginius Bryan Lougee III passed away on Feb. 10.
V.B. was born May 31, 1926 in Durham, North Carolina, the beloved son of Virginius B. Lougee Jr. and Maggie Riggsbee Lougee. Upon his graduation from Durham High School in 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and soon served in World War II as a machinist mate on the U.S.S. Norman Scott.
At the completion of his military service, he attended North Carolina State College, met and married Dorothy Leonard Lougee, a graduate of the Watts Hospital School of Nursing, and he graduated in 1951 with a degree in industrial engineering and a 2-year-old daughter.
Dot and V.B. were the loving parents of Carol and Brent, and raised their children in Durham with a host of good friends and the support of Watts St. Baptist Church.
V.B. had a long and successful career at the American Tobacco Company. He joined the company in 1951 as an assistant foreman; then served as a foreman for seven years before becoming the master mechanic for the Durham branch of the ATC. In 1969, V.B. transferred to the company’s Department of Research & Development in Richmond, Virginia, and by 1973 he became R&D director. He and Dot made many friends in Richmond, but in June of 1976 they moved to Darien, so that V.B. could take on new responsibilities.
In 1978 he became the president and chief operating officer of ATC and in 1981 he became president and COO of the parent company, American Brands. V.B. was known for his skills in promoting effective teamwork, a trait he carried with him at work, but also in his family, with his friends, and in retirement with his golf buddies, who enjoyed his camaraderie and friendship.
In 1988, V.B. began his retirement, which spanned 34 years. He and Dot enjoyed visits with their children and grandchildren and vacations at Hilton Head. V.B. especially enjoyed golfing with friends. His infectious humor inspired smiles and laughter.
He also enjoyed crafting finished wood furniture and cabinets, and planting flowers and vegetables. In 2006 Dot and VB moved permanently to Bermuda Run, enjoying a return to family in North Carolina.
They were happy to join Knollwood Baptist Church, where V.B. was able to serve on several ministry teams. After Dot died in 2014, V.B. continued to enjoy the many cultural offerings of the Winston-Salem area, including symphony concerts, Dash games, Wake Forest University football, and UNC School of the Arts events.
Family visits and holiday gatherings were his favorites. V.B. continued to make new and dear friends wherever he went.
V.B. is survived by the following family members: his daughter, Carol Danforth, and her husband, John, of Winston-Salem; his son, Brent Lougee Sr., of Richmond, Virginia, whose wife, Teresa, died in 2020; his grandchildren: Ginnie Freeman and her husband, Scott, of Greenville South Carolina; Brent Lougee Jr. and his wife Katy of Stanley North Carolina; Carrie Schymanski and her husband, Jason, of McLean, Virginia; Seth Lougee of Richmond, Virginia; Sadie Lougee of Richmond, Virginia; his great-grandchildren: Drew Freeman, Lilly Freeman, Luke Freeman, Ethan Lougee, Emma Lougee, Eli Lougee, Milla Schymanski and Reed Schymanski; his niece, Vicki Henderson and her husband Bill; and other dear extended family members.
V.B. will be greatly missed by his dear friend and constant companion, Mary Tucker, and her family. The family expresses deep gratitude to the many friends and neighbors who have shown care and affection for V.B. and Mary over recent years.
A Celebration of Life and Faith was held Feb. 19, 2023, with burial at Maplewood Cemetery in Durham, North Carolina, on Feb. 20. Memorial gifts may be made to Knollwood Baptist Church to support the Wellness and Community Center.
— an obituary from Hayworth-Miller Funeral Home, where online condolences may be left